List of Things to Do When Moving to a New State

Whether you’ve landed a job in another state, you’re moving for love, or you have some other reasons to move, you’re in for a stressful and costly journey, especially if you’re moving out for the first time. Good and timely organization is key to alleviating some of that stress (and cost, too), so check out our tips for a smooth relocation..

Job-Related Tips

Chances are you are relocating for work or you already have a job lined up, so before you start packing, check what moving expenses your employer is willing to cover or try to negotiate this with your future employer if you’ve just got a new job. Save all the receipts, in case you need to show them for reimbursement.

Can You Move Without a Job?

In short – yes. While it’s true that most people already have a job secured before relocation or are relocating with their companies, it’s possible to find one after settling in your home. Nowadays it’s easy to explore various companies online so do some market research – use sites such as LinkedIN to find good companies. You can also ask some friends or acquaintances for references or visit the US Department of Labor’s website.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Feeling some anxiety about moving out is completely normal and there’s no such thing as a completely stress-free moving. However, there are some good ways to alleviate the stress and anxiety and one of the most important steps is to set a budget.

The average cost of interstate moving is around $4,000 and that’s without the additional costs that always manage to pop up. So, this is where you figure out how to go about this – whether you’ll hire a long distance moving company or take the DIY approach to find the cheapest way to move out of state.

Hire Professional Long Distance Movers

One of the first things to consider when relocating long distance is whether you’ll hire a cross country movers or do it on your own. There are different ways to go about this, depending on your budget:

• Full service – Professional long distance movers will do all the packing, loading/unloading, shipping, and unpacking for you
• Shipping service – you pack yourself and they ship your belongings
• Loading/unloading service – you do the packing and shipping, and professionals load and unload the heavy boxes for you.

Whichever you opt for, make sure you choose a reputable long-distance moving company and ask about any extra charges you should know of to avoid the sticker shock afterward.

Taking the DIY Approach When Moving to a New State

It’s important to know your options and if you plan to DIY your move your best options are to:

• Hire a moving truck – This one is a big money saver if you are comfortable navigating such a large vehicle by yourself. Of course, you should know some tips on how to pack a moving truck.
• Rent a moving container – This way you won’t have to drive your stuff yourself, you just load the container, the company will ship it to your new address and you unload it. Another advantage is that you won’t have to rent a storage, as you can use the container as a temporary storage.

Check If Your Moving Company Offers Car Shipping Services

If you are flying to your destination, you’ll need to prepare your car for shipping. Find out if your state to state movers offer car shipping services and choose the best time to have it shipped, as this process can take up to two weeks, depending on the distance.

Get a Driver’s License From Your New State

At one point, you’ll need to know how to register a leased car in another state. First, use the website of your local DMV to check the requirements of your new state, as they vary in different states. Then, you’ll need to take all the necessary documentation to your local DMV and try to get that off your chest as soon as possible since it will take some time before you get your license. And don’t forget to update your car’s title, registration and license plate.

Officially Change Your Address

There are certain government agencies that you’ll need to notify of your change of address. Here are the most important ones and how to do it.

Forward Your Day-to-Day Mail

This is simple – just visit USPS online and change your address and choose the date you want them to start forwarding your mail to your new home. It’s always good to do it ahead of time, so you don’t miss out on your mail. Also, make sure to update any loans, credit cards or bank accounts online or by phone.

Update Your Utilities

The last thing you want is to be without electricity or hot water once you’ve settled into your home. Therefore, you need to find new providers ahead of time, at least two weeks before the big day. Local services like water and garbage pickup are provided by the city, and electricity and gas by the state, so you can visit usa.gov to find the official website of your new state.

  SSA and IRS

Make sure to notify the SSA of your change of address. This is especially important if you receive some benefits or Medicare and it should be done right away. Notify the IRS, too, so they can forward any tax-related mail to your new home. And don’t forget to register to vote.

Get to Know the Place and People

Saying bye to friends and family is never easy and it’s perfectly normal to experience some depression after moving. The best way to fight this is to say hello to your new place and the people around you. Use the Internet to stay in touch with your old pals, find some nice places to explore and activities you’d enjoy doing and don’t forget to meet new neighbors.